Miss Celie

For those interested

Thanks for the well-wishes on my coursework. It’s a rough time to be jiggering with your work schedule. But, I’ve wanted to do this for the last three years.

For those who asked, the pre-req is FASH 100, Apparel Technology.

Apparel Technology
Create garments by hand and machine with technical perfection the goal. Students must have access to a sewing machine.

I went and met with the department head Wedensday in this dress and she waived my pre-req 🙂

My primary goal in taking this class is to be able to use the various Mrs. Stylebooks I have accumulated. My second goal is to be able to draft patterns from photos / RTW items.  My third goal is to someday have some kind of a second career from home in sewing. Maybe writing about sewing. Maybe drafting for other people. Maybe sewing for people. Who knows?  But, that’s why I’m going the ‘Apparel Patternmaking Track’

The Apparel Patternmaking track (within the Fashion
Design Degree and Fashion Design Certificate);
provides the opportunity for training in the specialized
area of pattern development for apparel design.

Courses are:

Fashion Patternmaking Track — Fashion Design Certificate Program
The Fashion Patternmaking track offers students the opportunity for training and retraining, in the technical field of pattern development for apparel design. Students will take selected Fashion Design courses to prepare for careers as patternmakers, CAD specialists, and stylists.

Course C redits
FASH 100 Fashion Design
or
FASH 200 Advanced Fashion Design 3 credits
FASH 104 Flat Pattern Design 3 credits
FASH 202 Computer-Assisted Pattern Design 3 credits
FASH 203 Design by Draping I 3 credits
FASH 204 Design by Draping II 3 credits
Certificate Total 15

The school also has drawing, fashion illustration and tailoring classes too. I’m only going to do one class a semester and they have no summer or winter session. So, I’ll be talking about this for a long time to come. I’m pretty lucky. The courses are about $300 for a three credit class. There is also a great fiber arts program at a local private arts college I can explore too when I finish up at BCCC.

Of course, this might not be my bag and I’ll move on to something else!

24 comments

  1. You have gotten me so interested in this that I will looking into this in my area. The last time I checked, these type of classes fell under Fashion Merchandising at one of the local community colleges. I hope you enjoy it and I can’t wait to read about your experience.

  2. I always think learning more always worth it! I just finished a masters in publishing (my first love) and am starting towards my doctorate now. Sewing is a nice creative outlet for me and I’d probably love to take some of these courses too if I got good enough but I’ve got to balance one degree, one job and my blog before I add more stuff to it!

  4. Best of luck girl! I started at Apparel Arts in San Francisco this month (www.apparel-arts.com). I’m TOTALLY enjoying myself. I too have a goal of having a second career in fashion somehow – though I haven’t figure out how exactly just yet.

    I have been reading your blog for at least a year and love it. I’m totally impressed with you ties, especially.

  5. I’m so jealous! There is a program that isn’t too far from me, but far enough that I haven’t been able to make time in my schedule. Maybe that’s what I should make for a 2009 resolution: to finally take that class!

  8. I keep checking the DCCC catalog to see if they’re going to start offering pattern drafting classes. No luck so far. One of the local colleges offers classes, but they are in the suburbs and only during the weekday. Boo.

  9. Have a great time!

    Hey MICA is my school! I went there, in the evenings, for graphic design. I was dog tired, but it was well worth it. It is such a feeling of accomplishment to stick a goal and follow through. My experience put me back out into the work place.

    You’ll enjoy your classes, even when your eyes can barely stay open.

  10. Good luck with your classes. I took part I of a patternmaking class and I learned a lot. The classes move at a fast pace, so you really have to put the time in to keep up.
    I hope to go back and take part II next fall.

  11. Darn you and your urban availability of cool stuff, Cidell. I had to wipe some saliva off my keyboard after just skimming the MICA homepage. And then there are the classes you’re taking. I really like living in my town with the hospital surrounded by cows in many, many ways. Then I see stuff I want that you can only get in cool places. Like Baltimore. Hmph. I need to just make it a priority and learn what I can myself before I let myself get frustrated by what (doesn’t) come next. There are so many good mostly self-taught folks out there, inspiring me by web, and you’re one of them. Thanks! And now I’ll get off my derrierre and set me some good old-fashioned reachable, bitesize-and-building goals.

  12. I am so excited for you! I am starting classes in Chicago in the Fall. I have the same goals as you. Good luck!

  13. It’s an exciting track to explore. Seems like something you’ll really like, too, and I’m certain you’ll excel! I’m looking forward to hearing about your progress.

  14. You are my hero. I love that you spelled out the goals like that- it makes them real.

    Keep us updated 🙂

  15. I think you will love the experience! Good for you that you are exploring something new and expanding your horizons. Keep on learning and keep us informed. I love Community Colleges! Affordable, accessible, and harness local talent 🙂

  16. I am just getting back into sewing and recently discovered your blog. LOVE IT! You will go far! What is “Mrs. Stylebooks”? Thanks!

  17. That’s so cool you got in on the basis of one of your fab dresses!

    Next hope – they allow you to take pics in class!!

    Good luck!

  18. It is exciting to hear that you are pursuing a dream of yours. You have a great eye for color and style and your work is beautiful; adding patternmaking into the mix will make you a force to be reckoned with! You are an inspiration. Looking forward to following your progress through your blog.

  19. My luck is that locally, we have a community college and a university and neither one has any programs in fabrics, textiles, or clothing. None. Closest is Cornell, an hour away. But, it is consistent since we don’t have any sewing classes locally either. (feeling very grumpy this morning)

  20. After reading your post I looked on line for some courses and the nearest is over an hour away during rush hour. Just a little bit too long right now, but I will definitely be keeping it in the back of my mind.

  21. Good for you! The course sounds so interesting and you are fortunate to live in an area that offers courses like that. I can’t wait to hear from you what you have learned.

  22. awesome. I have sighed over the BCCC class schedule many times myself and just can’t fit it into my schedule. thanks for the mica link – i had no idea!!

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